Scripture: Luke 1:10 (NRSV)
Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
Reflection
While Zechariah stood in the sanctuary, a whole community waited and prayed outside. Their hope wasn’t isolated; it was shared, collectively held, and carried. Sometimes the smallest acts of faithfulness — showing up, praying for one another, staying steady — are the unseen seeds of hope that sustain a community through uncertainty and fear.
We often see hope as something dramatic or sudden. But in Advent, hope takes the form of the community turning toward God together. It shows up in shared prayers, mutual encouragement, and the quiet ways we support each other through seasons of waiting. These small acts might not seem spectacular, but they carry great spiritual significance.
Hope isn’t something we create on our own; it’s something we nurture in each other. When our own faith wavers, the community supports us. When someone else struggles, we stand with them. In a world that often feels broken, choosing to pray together, show up together, and believe together becomes a powerful witness to the God who draws near.
Application (Action)
Pray by name for your church community today: leaders, children, elders, and those unseen and unknown.
Writing Prompt
Who has helped carry hope for you when you couldn’t carry it yourself?
Prayer
God, who knits us together, thank you for the people who hold hope alongside me. Strengthen our communities so that no one waits alone. Amen.